Real Madrid star ready to leave on free transfer

Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin is reportedly prepared to run down his contract at the Santiago Bernabeu and leave for free next summer.

Lunin joined Madrid in 2018 and, after two years of loans, has spent the past four seasons operating as backup to Thibaut Courtois, whose serious injury last year allowed Lunin to make 31 appearances for the club – 14 more than he managed across the previous three campaigns combined.

Now in the final year of his contract and back on the bench following Courtois’ recovery, Lunin’s career is at a crossroads. Madrid are believed to have made an offer to extend the Ukraine international’s contract but have not yet heard a response.

According to SPORT, this is because Lunin’s current plan is to let his contract wind down, giving him his pick of clubs as a free agent next summer.

Madrid have been pushing Lunin for a final answer on his future all summer. They are prepared to tie him down to an extension or sell him for around €30m, but they want enough time to find a suitable replacement.

Not only is Lunin’s hesitancy a problem for Madrid, but it could cause issues for Chelsea as they strive to sell the world’s most expensive goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Kepa spent last season on loan with Madrid after Courtois was sidelined and made 20 appearances for the club, initially beginning as the starter before losing his place to Lunin for the second half of the season.

The 29-year-old, who is in the final year of his own contract, is desperate to rejoin Madrid and the Spanish side see him as a potential target if they find themselves needing to replace Lunin before the end of the summer transfer window.

However, with Lunin seemingly prepared to remain with Madrid, a move for Kepa is unlikely to materialise.

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